Based on the Bar-tailed Godwit, a bird that makes the longest known non-stop flight without even stopping to feed (7,258 miles - imagine that), the Lockheed Stratoliner is designed to be a go-anywhere jet that's fueled by hydrogen.
Oversized wings generate massive amounts of lift, allowing the William Brown-designed Stratoliner to fly at high altitudes in a "low-power state." Yanko Design describes the Stratoliner as a zero-emissions jet that can literally soar across the globe without refueling. The Stratoliner's four Cryogenic Hydrogen Turbofan engines provide the oomph, while its odd front end and split-tail design make it truly unique.
An official range for the Stratoliner is unlisted, so we haven't a clue as to whether or not the Stratoliner could complete a non-stop, round-the-world flight (24,901 miles) if it was ever built. Still, even if it only matches the flight of the bar-tailed Godwit, it'd still be one impressive machine.
Lockheed Stratoliner is a hydrogen-fueled jet with near-around-the-world range originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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